HIV infections are on the rise among heterosexual, African-American women with rates of the disease higher in areas of poverty

The cases of HIV have dramatically grown in Washington, DC with rates doubling to 12%, it has been revealed. In a study conducted by DC health officials, the 482 people surveyed with HIV were mostly African-American, more than half had incomes of less than $10,000 and 37% were unemployed. There are nearly 15,000 people over the age of 12 living in DC with HIV or AIDS. That is the highest level - at 2.7% - for any city in the United States. Most cities have large concentrations of HIV cases within groups of men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users. In DC, however, the cases usually involve heterosexual women who are black. Black women make up 90% of all female cases of HIV in the city. It's likely that 20% to 30% may be unaware that they're even infected.